Hossler, 17, takes lead in US Open

High-school amateur takes lead in US Open with Tiger Woods trailing in his wake may be the stuff of dreams for most youngsters, but for 17-year-old Beau Hossler it became a reality on Friday.

The chubby Californian with braces on his teeth stunned the galleries at The Olympic Club when he birdied the 1st hole — the 11th of his round — and suddenly he was ahead of the field, including the biggest name in world sport.

Amateur Beau Hossler celebrates a birdie on the 17th green during the second round of the US Open on Friday. Pic/AFP

It didn’t last that long as a bogey at the second and a double bogey two holes later drew him back to the chasing back. Still by the end of the day he come in with a 73 to go with his opening 70 and he comfortably made the cut for two more rounds at the weekend.

Hossler admitted that finding himself leading the US Open had been an experience. “I was pretty excited about it, but then again I had another 40 holes at least to be playing in the tournament,” he said. “You’ve got a long way to go and you can’t get too wrapped up on where you’re at.

Rory McIlroy

“You’ve got to keep focused and try to go out there and salvage some pars on the first six holes, which is pretty difficult to do.” McIlroy, Donald fail From the sublime to the sorry — what a difference a year at the US Open has made for Rory McIlroy. On Friday his crown crashed to the ground as he followed up a dismal opening round of 77 with a 73 to stand at 10 over for the tournament.

Luke Donald

McIlroy will have plenty sympathy and understanding from playing partner Luke Donald. The world number one continued his misery at the majors by firing a two-over 72, creditable enough, but nowhere near what he required to make the weekend following the humbling 79 that left him ruefully shaking his head on Thursday.